Happy Friday, everyone! How was your week, how was your Valentine’s Day? Drew and I celebrate enough other occasions in the year that I always ask him not to do anything for me for V-day and he complies. (And not to belabor the point or brag — ok maybe brag a little — but he’s an awesome husband all year long. He brings me flowers a lot and always puts a glass of water on my nightstand at bedtime and lies to me about how I look better now than when we first met; I don’t need him to get me overpriced chocolate on February 14th. …But I will take half-priced chocolates on the 15th!) We do get small gifts for the kids and help them give valentines to their classmates. And for Joanie’s preschool brunch yesterday I made mini egg muffins that stuck to the pan, so then I cooked up some bacon instead, and 36 hours later I am still cleaning dried egg off the muffin tins, so that’s fun.
I did get great news re. my friend who was in the terrible car accident and has been in a coma and on life support since last Tuesday. Yesterday they brought him out of the coma long enough to ask some questions. He knew his name and his birthday and his brother’s name. And when the nurse asked who the president is, he said, “that bastard.” So looks like his brain may be ok! They’ve now removed the ventilator and the next step will be to remove the feeding tube when he’s able to swallow. We’re all starting to feel much more optimistic! (And if you’re in the mood to help out a stranger, here’s his gofundme; he has medical insurance, but that never covers 100% of everything, and missing months of work while he recovers will also be a big financial hit.)
Tomorrow we’re flying out to visit my parents for the week. (I’m not going to drive to see my friend in the ICU, but I hope to make a separate trip once he’s moved to a rehab center maybe in a few weeks.) Flight’s at 9 am and I still have to do like three loads of laundry and start packing for all of us. So, bye for now – have a great weekend!
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JD February 15, 2019, 6:44 pm
Glad to hear your friend is making progress Wendy. I was thinking about him last night actually, in my prayers.
We are unpacking. Had the pleasure of buying a new tv today since two have now been broken during moving. Luckily they are so cheap these days it’s far less traumatizing. Although, something is now up with husbands car.
Lazy weekend other than unpacking for sure. We are both exhausted and with hurting backs from moving stuff.
Kate February 15, 2019, 6:54 pm
Good to hear about your friend.
Last Friday night a woman who’s a regular at our bar/restaurant was killed walking home after dinner, in a crosswalk, by a guy in a truck driving like an asshole. He left the scene, but they just caught him yesterday. A Tufts cop saw his truck and noticed damage (they had got a decent pic of the truck on a security camera). She was a beloved teacher. Horrible.
JD February 15, 2019, 7:40 pm
Oh that’s disgusting. I hope he gets everything that is coming to him.
People are assholes. When the guy hit me a cop had to be restrained he was so mad because the guy kept saying he had to go as he was late for work…while I’m lying in the middle of the road. Cop later came and saw me in the hospital and brought flowers and visited me at home and brought junk food. He was awesome.
Kate February 15, 2019, 7:46 pm
That’s sweet.
I hate to say I hope this guy’s life is ruined, but he’s 55, he knows how to drive. And he went out to dinner with his girlfriend right afterwards and acted like nothing happened. And tried to fix his front end to cover it up.
The news said excessive speed and aggressive driving.
JD February 18, 2019, 10:03 am
I had a neighbor who I didn’t know well but we chatted now and then. I stayed away because his GF was a nut bag. He said they got into an argument one time and she keyed his car and such. I knew she knew my car so I didn’t want any of that. Plus he was like 21 so I was in no way interested.
I heard the news one night that a black mustang ran a light and had hit a grandmother and her two grandkids. Grandma died as did one child. For some reason I just knew it was him right away. I don’t know why. Then I saw the pics and it was his car. I knew because he had red wheels. He had fled the scene and left his car. They said he ran to his dads house. I personally think he freaked out, understandably. Not right but I see what could have happened there. They said he was racing another car up the street basically late at night. Truly awful. I felt bad for both parties. Him because I know he was a kid messing around thinking nothing could happen and more for the family. I was of course disgusted with what he did but for some reason, just knowing he was an overall nice person, also felt for his life lost. He has been charged with 2 counts of murder. I tried to follow the case but nothing was ever in the news again after they charged him with murder, although I did see he was eventually released on bond.
All around horrible. They initially said he was drinking or on drugs but later after testing him found that not to be the case. Just an dumb kid thinking nothing would happen.
anonymousse February 15, 2019, 7:57 pm
That is good news, Wendy.
Kate, that’s terrible.
JD, I’ve also been hit by a car as a pedestrian! People are assholes.
We had our last court date for my family tragedy a week ago. Plea deals for both offenders. It was brutal. But it’s over. Thank god.
JD February 16, 2019, 7:35 am
Wow. It actually amazes me in meeting people how many have been hit by cars. What is wrong with drivers!
Kate February 16, 2019, 8:03 am
It has always been my worst nightmare that I would hit someone. My commute has gone through congested city areas with lots of turns, and pedestrians in Massachusetts don’t follow lights or anything (though this woman who was killed was absolutely in the crosswalk). So driving home at dusk or after dark, I was so scared I would hit a walker or biker. Taking the bus is so much better and less stress. I just turned in my leased car and got a used car just for when I need one, but I don’t want to drive my commute. That said, again, this guy seemed to have been driving irresponsibly, and you have to think he’d been drinking, or why run away?
JD February 16, 2019, 8:32 am
Ya I’m thinking he had to be drinking. When I lived in San Fran driving through the city could be so frustrating with people just walking in front of your car. I had more than once biker just hit my mirror and take it off, while I was stopped at a light. I drove since I actually had parking at my house and at work (unheard of) for free and it saved a lot of time, but it was chaotic. I usually would drive around the city when i cools rather than through the craziness.
Lucidity February 15, 2019, 8:37 pm
Glad to hear about your friend, Wendy.
We had a special Valentine’s Day. My mid-pregnancy ultrasound isn’t for another week and a half, and my husband and I have been eagerly speculating about the gender. Yesterday I had the technician at the vet clinic I work at do a scan (so amazing to see all the rolling and kicking!) We got great views, so she was able to make a pretty confident guess at the gender. I handmade a Valentine’s Day card for my husband with the ultrasound picture inside and an announcement that we’re (probably) having a girl. He was so excited and it really made the day special for us.
This weekend we’ll be visiting his cousin to meet their baby boy, who is three weeks old. We’ll also be cooking up a storm in preparation for a big family dinner we’re hosting on Monday, which here in Ontario is a civic holiday called Family Day.
JD February 16, 2019, 7:34 am
Oh I love this. My dream gift.
Kate February 16, 2019, 8:10 am
My poor baby has the “Old Dog Vestibular Disease” again. He had it last fall, and this is the second time. It happens suddenly and it’s like they’re drunk, weaving around and falling. And throwing up. But then it gets better in 72 hours. I feel so bad for him right now because he doesn’t know what’s happening. He was up in the night wandering around and throwing up, and my husband slept on the floor with him in the other room. He can’t be up on furniture because he could fall off, and he was crying in his bed. At least we know what it is this time. Last time was really scary.
JD February 16, 2019, 8:29 am
Oh gosh. Poor baby. Sorry to hear that. At least you know it passes pretty soon. Sending your baby love and cuddles.
Kate February 16, 2019, 8:51 am
Thanks. Also want people to just be aware of it, because it looks really bad and you think it’s a stroke or something horrible, but it’s not serious.
It comes with a head tilt, which often goes away, but in my dog’s case seems permanent. Also, their eyes kinda roll and twitch while it’s happening. And some dogs won’t be able to get up and walk at all. But then in 3 days they’re fine!
TheLadyE February 17, 2019, 12:15 am
Oh gosh, this is so scary! Sending love and health and happiness to your pup. My little toy poodle girl is 10 (11 in March) and she has not had anything like that so far. She had dental surgery this past week and only has 1 tooth left but otherwise she is very healthy and active and barky, almost like she is a puppy. She even demands and chews her chicken jerky treats with one tooth! Thanks for letting me know what this is. I hope he feels better very soon!
Kate February 17, 2019, 6:52 am
I had heard about it before from a co-worker with an older dog. When it happened to my guy, I didn’t make the connection right away, but in googling I came across it. Apparently sometimes people don’t realize and they get their pet euthanized because they think it’s something horrible and the dog is suffering. We took him to the regular vet who said she thought that’s what it was but needed to see a neurologist to be sure. Neurologist agreed/confirmed. Bottom line, if these symptoms happen and the dog seems better within 72 hours, that’s what it is.
JD February 17, 2019, 7:58 am
Poor baby. My boy has had many of his teeth out. Then on top of it fell and lost his incisor. So now his tongue hangs out the side of his mouth, which is actually pretty cute. I felt so bad for him…and my wallet to be honest as it was emergency surgery at, of course, the worst possible time.
I will say to be careful with wet food. Once i switches him he gained a lot of weight. I switched you Sojos which you add water to. It’s not cheap but very good for him, maintains his proper weight and is just dehydrated veggies so quality.
Steph February 18, 2019, 8:22 am
Kate, we just went through this with our dog. After dealing with it off and on for a while, we did an MRI and she had a brain tumor that ended up causing us to have to put her down. Radiation wasn’t an option since it would have only extended her life by 6 months and we didn’t want to put her through all of that for not a long period of time. It happened so quickly. We found on Jan 2 she had the tumor and on Jan 24 she was gone.
Kate February 18, 2019, 9:48 am
Oh wonderful. I’m sorry that happened, Steph. Well, he’s 12, and I wouldn’t get him radiation or brain surgery at this point. The MRI was an option last time, but we didn’t do it. I hope it’s not serious like that, but if it is… he’s had a good life.
Dear Wendy February 18, 2019, 12:22 pm
Sending good thoughts, Kate. I hope it’s not too serious and that he’s able to be comfortable.
Kate February 19, 2019, 8:22 pm
My dog is a lot better. Funny enough, his head went straight again, after being crooked / tilted since October. He’s still a little off balance but overall seems to be feeling good.
Skyblossom February 20, 2019, 3:58 pm
We had a cat that had this problem twice. In his case it was an inner ear infection. He had trouble standing and walking and his eyes were moving side to side. He looked like he had some horrible condition but he just needed an antibiotic. It happened twice about six months apart. The first time he had antibiotics in tablet form. The second time he had them as an injection and that cleared it up and it never happened again.
Kate February 20, 2019, 4:08 pm
@Skyblossom that was my theory the first time, that it was an ear infection. But the vet said his ears looked great and that it was neurological (at which point I freaked). But she and the neurologist both said (however, without us doing an MRI) that it was this non-serious vestibular thing.
keyblade February 19, 2019, 11:00 pm
I’m glad your pooch is doing, better 🙂
JD February 17, 2019, 8:03 am
My house is unpacked. Woohoo. Three straight days of unpacking and other than a little organizing and hanging pics I am done. Exhausting. One box seems to be lost in the process. Always seems to happen.
I was so excited to wake up this morning with no more unpacking and everything finally here. Luckily husband has Monday off so our weekend has officially begun.
Oh also got hit with $1000 car repair during the unpacking. Arg.
Lucidity February 17, 2019, 11:05 am
Did you just move, JD? I thought you’d been at this place for awhile (ruralish place, right?).
JD February 17, 2019, 11:18 am
We just got all the rest of our furniture and such delivered. Long story short but it has to go to storage and then we were going to move soon so weren’t going to move it here just go move it right back, then that changed due to one of my family members health issues, and we finally decided to stay here. Then about two months from deciding to it arriving due to availability etc. Its sucked so bad not having all our stuff and a half empty house but it’s finally over. I also hate paying for storage as it is such a waste but was necessary. Luckily storage on bases is really cheap.
Lucidity February 17, 2019, 4:51 pm
Ah, I see. That must be satisfying. It’s hard to feel like your house is a home if it’s not fully furnished. Glad to hear you finally have everything all in one place!
JD February 17, 2019, 5:08 pm
Thanks. It feels nice. Well my legs feel like jelly but the ref feels nice. Haha
Dear Wendy February 18, 2019, 1:51 pm
We made it to Missouri (if you follow my Instagram stories, you know what an epic journey it was). I either have a stomach bug or a bad hangover and am currently resting in bed while the rest of the family is at a movie. I had three glasses of wine with dinner last nigh at a friend’s house and threw up all night long and all morning and cannot keep anything down. I’ve had plenty of hangovers before, but never this bad over what wasn’t *that* much alcohol. Ughhhh. I was feeling a little sick-ish yesterday but didn’t think much of it. Hope this passes quickly.
Oh, and thank you to any of you who ay have contributed to my friend’s gofundme. Today’s update is less heartening than the one from a few days ago, but we’re still hoping for a full recovery, and I know it means a lot to his family, and will to him, to have a lot of support and a little financial cushion to help ease the burden as he heals.
ktfran February 18, 2019, 4:03 pm
Ugh. I’m sorry Wendy. That sucks. Fingers are crossed for a swift recovery. My money is on the stomach bug. It’s been going around here. The husband actually had what sounds like a similar experience two Sunday’s ago.
I’ve been sick three times since late November. I’m never sick this much. I’ve been traveling a lot for both personal and work reasons, so between that and these huge weather fluctuations and my naturally low white blood cell count, my body hates me. I’m over it.
anonymousse February 19, 2019, 12:25 pm
Yikes! I’m sorry Wendy. I bet it’s something else, too. Every time I throw up, I get so nauseous I can’t stop/keep anything down. I hope you start feeling better soon.
Dear Wendy February 19, 2019, 1:29 pm
Thanks – I feel a lot better today; I just have a lingering low-grade headache and some slight nausea. I’m 90% sure it was a really bad migraine I had (triggered by travel-related stress, fatigue, and the wine I drank). I had a migraine a few weeks ago. I thought it was my first, but then I started thinking that I maybe have had a number of them that were triggered by alcohol that I assumed were just hangovers. I’ve had 48-hour “hangovers” after only drinking maybe 2-3 glasses of wine and I could never understand why the hangovers were so bad. then when I felt the exact same horrible hangover symptoms a few weeks ago, after not having had a drink in maybe a week, it dawned on me that I was probably having a migraine and that it probably wasn’t my first. Yesterday’s migraine – if it was that – was the worst one yet. I projectile vomited for hours and my head was throbbing and pounding for about 15 hours.
JD February 19, 2019, 1:40 pm
That does sound like a migraine. My mom and ex used to have very similar symptoms. Crazy enough once my ex had Lasik pretty much no more migraines. He had very bad vision, coke bottle glasses, so it isn’t totally surprising.
Skyblossom February 19, 2019, 3:51 pm
My son has migraines like this, with projectile vomiting. The thing that has helped him is that he now takes magnesium every day. When he takes it daily he has no migraines. He would sometimes have numbness before the migraine. The first time he had a migraine he commented that it was odd that his nose was numb. About 30 minutes later he was vomiting. He also sometimes has visual disturbances. If he takes ibuprofen before the headache and vomiting he can stop it. If he begins vomiting he can’t keep anything down and can’t do anything to stop it. He has some of the common triggers like aged cheese, cured meat and chocolate.
Dear Wendy February 19, 2019, 4:02 pm
Interesting. In retrospect there were two things that could have been signs of an oncoming migraine: I had an upset stomach during the afternoon, and then I was yawning a lot over dinner (and I was worried that my friend, whose house were were at, would think I was bored or being rude; I just couldn’t stop yawning!). I read that both of those things are symptoms of a pre-migraine. I didn’t have visual disturbance this time, but I did when I had one a few weeks ago, which is what made me think it must be a migraine. And then, as I said, I couldn’t keep anything down for nearly 24 hours. I mentioned to my mom yesterday that I suspected I was having a migraine and she said her mother used to get them a lot, too. I hope this doesn’t become a regular thing for me. It’s miserable!
Skyblossom February 19, 2019, 4:39 pm
Do a Google search for migraine and magnesium and see if you think it might help. Magnesium has made all the difference for my son.
I’ve had some migraines and I’ve learned that when I get a visual disturbance I need to take Ibuprofen immediately. Every so often I’ve woken with nausea but no fever and after it happened several times I finally realized I was waking during a migraine and missed the visual disturbance in my sleep. Sometimes I’m just having the nausea without the headache. My nausea isn’t so bad that I throw up the Ibuprofen so I can stop it when I realize what is happening. I’ve also had migraines several times when traveling. A bright light in the eyes will do it for me. There was a time I boarded the plane and looked out the window and the sun was reflecting off the wing and that gave me a migraine. Another time I developed a headache in the airport but couldn’t get any water near our gate. I had Ibuprofen with me but needed a drink to swallow it. I thought I would get some water on the plane and take it but we had turbulence the entire flight and the flight attendant couldn’t move and by the time we landed I was ready to throw up. Anymore, if I’m nauseous I take my temperature. If there is no fever I assume it’s a migraine. If I have a headache and nausea and no fever I again assume a migraine.
Dear Wendy February 19, 2019, 5:20 pm
Thanks – I will check out magnesium. The migraine I just had woke me from my sleep Sunday night, so I guess there may have been visual disturbances that I slept through.
anonymousse February 19, 2019, 5:24 pm
I was prescribed imitrex for migraines. It’s a miracle drug. You take it only when you have one.
I have been taking magnesium and a ton of Epsom salt baths which maybe could be why I haven’t had any recently.
JD February 19, 2019, 5:37 pm
Sorry you are dealing with this Wendy. Sending internet well wishes.
Kate February 21, 2019, 10:51 am
I’m so annoyed. I got to work this morning and right before I walked in the door, this avalanche of snow and ice fell off the roof onto my head. It hurt, it soaked my hair and fell down my neck, it soaked everything in my bag, and just wtf. This is a public building with a lot of medical offices, including an ultrasound, so there are pregnant women with little kids in here all the time, as well as older people with mobility issues, etc.
I texted my co-workers to warn them because I was the first one here (though it was after 9am). I called the super, and he said the snow removal crew is on the roof. Okay, so why are there no signs on the sidewalk to warn people??? He finally put them out, but not until at least 10am I think. One of my co-workers almost got hit as well.
Wtf!!! My neck hurts and I’m pissed.
JD February 21, 2019, 10:57 am
WTF! Are they stupid??? I would be livid! Keep an eye are your neck.
Kate February 21, 2019, 10:59 am
I am angry! There’s also a daycare down the street that takes tiny kids out for group walks. This is a very busy urban center, and to be doing snow removal on a steep roof with no signage is completely irresponsible. I took pics to document, and wrote an email for my boss to send to management. A guy saw it happen too and was shocked. I should have gotten his number.